Chasing Shadows

[Riamah]

She was given a few days to recover from her first journey to the spirits before Daxton summoned her again.

The morning came and before she joined him, she made sure she was clean and ready. Her sword was on her belt along with the various tools she normally carried with her. Her fur was all neat and she was ready.

Meeting him in the room where she had been several times now, she knew she was expected and did no knock when she arrived. The door opened on its own and she walked in.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Welcome my young apprentice. I trust you have recovered from your experience. While normally I would leave you to your studies, there is a small matter that I will require some assistance taking care of. It is a simple enough task, merely visit a small world and seek out a particular individual and deliver a message. I would do it but my presence is required elsewhere. Would you be able to assist me with this small matter?” He said pleasantly enough to [member="Ailuros"], in a friendly tone of a teacher to a student.

 

[Riamah]

He welcomed her and made a request of her. Tilting her head to the side, she listened to what he had to say and nodded. In all the time they had been together, Daxton had never asked any favors from her and Ailuros certainly owed him.

"Of course I can do that. Where am I going and will the message be verbal?"

Assuming it was or it co​uld have been delivered by any other means, he would have already done it.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“This message can only be delivered in person, face to face. It cannot be delivered electronically nor passed through third parties. You will need to be physically present and looking the receipient in the eye when the message is delivered.” Daxton waited for [member="Ailuros"] to confirm that she understood before continuing. “But before I give more instructions. Tell me, what do you know about Beris?”

 

[Riamah]

"I understand, Master. Won't be a problem as long as they are accepting of cats."

Having the feeling this​ was also going to be a test of some sort, Ailuros was pretty sure there would be trouble of some kind in delivering this message. When he asked about Beris, she shook her head.

"Nothing."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“Shame to hear that. I would hate to send you blind into such a situation so before I send you on the mission. I want for you to learn why a relatively insignificant mid rim world is no important to Commenor. Surely it must be important enough to annex, correct? And [member="Ailuros"]?” He paused to emphasize, “Do study up on your navigation charts. There will be times we need to sent to places on moments notice, not knowing anything about a location can put you at a serious tactical disadvantage.”

 

[Riamah]

He didn't exactly scold her for not knowing anything about Beris, but suggested she learn more about the various locations around the galaxy.

"That's exactly what I was sent out to do by my people. Learn about the peoples in the galaxy and their governments. So far I've only learned about Silver Jedi, Galactic Empire and Alliance."

When he said it was important to Commenor, she nodded. Two places to learn about was set in front of her.

"You want me to learn about everything?"

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

“No, not everything. Despite what people may say behind my back, I do not know everything. But to be effective, you must listen to the pulse of the galaxy. What are important trade hubs, where do people congregate, these are focal points in the Force, that you will find will pay dividends. Chaos is always present, it is the fundamental primal force of change, to deny it would be like lying to oneself. We must learn to predict where these pressure points would be at the same time where are they absent and why?”

Pausing to let [member="Ailuros"] absorb the lesson before continuing. “As dozen people what is on Beris and you will get a dozen answers. Many would say it is an unremarkable Mid Rim world. As common, it has a space port and is populated by general benign government. Nothing out of the ordinary, yes?”

“Now ask yourself, why did the CSA add that world to its sphere of influence? What possible point of interest could the Red Ravens and by extension, you would have on this world? What if I told you that a certain documents facilitator was on that world and you will deliver the message for me.”

“I tell you this to encourage you. Information is power, power that you can shape for whatever end you may need. Isn’t better to have it but not need it, rather than need it but not have it?”

“I want you to go to Beris, find the bar called the Last Horizon where you will find a Kaminoan called Kless Konsta. Order a Dark Slider for him and yourself. Drink a toast and say, Ikmon vike Labatorgoya. To the last man standing. Remember those exact words and what you need to do. Do you have any questions?”

 

[Riamah]

In her time spent with the Red Ravens, their people and Daxton, Ailuros had of course heard people speaking of him. None had suggested he knew EVERYTHING, but quite a lot about many things.

She listened to what he had to say though and nodded. It was something she needed to learn how to do better. Listen and learn. Getting her to sit still long enough was difficult and keeping her attention could be even harder. Easily distracted unless she was interested in the subject. Politics, while she was sent out to learn about them, was something she wasn't into.

Repeating back what he said about power, she nodded.

When he told her the mission, she again repeated back the words he said and the order she needed to accomplish them.

"No, Master."

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Pleased that she understood, he dismissed [member="Ailuros"] with a benevolent smile, as there were no need for further words. While he had his reservations, she was perfect for the task he sent her on, provided she was discrete and did not draw too much attention to herself. Another pawn moved, now to see how his foes would react, should they choose to react at all.